Radius rod for motor vehicles



Feb. 5, 1935. c. FARRIS 1,989,746

RADIUS ROD FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Y Filed March 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENT OR )9u417 HI ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1935. c. FARRIS 1,989,746

RADIUS ROD FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed March 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR tlayfim Farris",

(owL. exi/ 4 Mimi] 11181110 zw Patented Feb. 5, 193.5 I i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,989,746 RADIUS non FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Clayton Farris, Newark, N. J., assignor to The Trucktor Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application March 29, 1932, Serial No. 601,739 1 Claim. (Cl. 280-124) The present invention relates to radius rods for 14 connects the bar 13 with the main spring 11 motor vehicles and embodies, more specifically, an and link 15 connects the other end of bar 13 to improved radius rod and connection for six wheel auxiliary spring 12. Bar 13 is pivoted upon a vehicles having an idle axle whereby the braking cross axle 16 which may be mounted upon the reaction is transmitted directly to the vehicle frame by means of brackets 17. Anauxiliary 5 frame, thus relieving the springs therefrom. It is axle 18 is connected to springs 12 by means of a matter of common knowledge that the braking split pads 19 which are bushed at 20 to permit reactions in motor vehicle operation are quite the springs to turn freely upon the axle. A thrust deleterious to the springs in as much as they set washer 21 receives the thrust of the adjacent 10 up disturbing forces which not only strain the bushing and transmits the same to the axle 18, 10 spring structure but detract considerably from one or more wheels 22 being journaled upon the the functioning of the spring during the time that axle. such braking reactions are impressed thereon. Upon the axle 18, a brake adapter 23 is mount- In constructions where a six wheel vehicle is ed, preferably being press fitted thereon and keyed provided with an idle axle, such axle having brake thereto by means of a key 24. Secured to the 15' structures mounted thereon, the springs which adapter is the customary brake structure 25 by support the axle upon the frame should function which the braking reaction is afforded. It will purely as load springs in order that the best riding thus be seen that the braking reaction is transqualities may be obtained, as well as the longest mitted directly to the axle 18 and any motion 0 service from the spring. In order that this caused thereby is not impressed on the spring 12 vehicle construction may be more efiective and by reason of the bushing and pad mounting above .7 the operation thereof more satisfactory, the described. present invention has been designed to provide Between the side members of frame 10 a radius a construction whereby the braking reactions may rod 26 is mounted, the rod being securely fixed to be transmitted directly to the frame instead of to axle 18 in order that norelative turning therebethe spring. tween may take place. A brake operating mecha- In addition to the foregoing, an object of the nism 27 may be mounted as shown and the end invention is to provide a radius rod construction of rod 26 is formed with a ball member 28 which for motor vehicles of the six wheel type having is received within a socket 29, mounted upon cross 30 an idle axle wherein the braking reactions are axle 16. In this fashion, the turning of axle 18, so impressed directly upon the frame of the vehicle due to braking reactions impressed thereon is imand wherein the tire slippage in turning corners pressed directly upon the cross axle 16 and spring is materially reduced by reason of the connection 12 serves only as a load carrying member. of the redius rod to the frame and the mounting In order that a slight tracking action of axle 18 of the spring thereon. may be allowed, the rear end of springs 12 are Further objects, not specifically enumerated mounted upon the frame through sleeper connecabove, will be apparent as the invention is detions 31, thus allowing a degree of side. play of scribed in greater detail in connection with the the spring which, in connection with the ball joint accompanying drawings, wherein: connection 29 and 16 of the radius rod, allows the 10 Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, showing an said tracking action when the vehicle .turns 0 axle in section and the radius rod and spring corners, thus materially reducing the slippage of mounting construction in accordance with the the tires. present invention. It will thus be seen that a six wheel vehicle Figure 2 is a view in section, taken on line 22 having two rear driving wheels and two rear idle of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the load wheels having brake mechanisms has been arrows. provided wherein the deleterious stresses caused Figure 3 is a plan view partly broken away and by the brake mechanism is transmitted directly in section, showing the radius rod construction to the frame and the auxiliary springs are thus of this invention. relieved of all but direct load stresses.

With reference to the above drawings, a vehicle While the invention has been described with frame is shown at 10 upon which the main drivspecific reference to the accompanying drawings, ing axle 10' is mounted. A main spring 11 is it is not to be limited, save as defined in the provided between the frame and the main axle. appended claim.

The main load spring 11 is connected to an aux- I claim as my invention:

iliary Sp 12 ugh an equalizer connection In combination, a vehicle frame having a drivcomprising a bar 13 and links 14 and 15. Link ing a d a towing member, the towing member including an axle to which brake mechanism is secured, springs journaled on the axle and fixed at the front ends thereof to links secured to the frame, slipper connections between the rear ends of the springs and the frame, a, yoke fixedly secured to the axle in a plane oi a radius of the axle and extending forwardly, an adjustable universal joint connection between the yoke and frame, the yoke extending to the center of the universal joint and the mechanism transmitting forces positively in all directions.

CLAYTON FARRIS. 

